FESTUS, Mo. (Nov. 8, 2025) — A Hillsboro man has been charged with driving while intoxicated following a late-night DWI traffic stop on Aug. 23, 2025, according to court documents filed in by the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on Nov. 5, 2025.

At approximately 10:48 p.m., Festus Police observed a vehicle driven by Joseph Patrick Oaks Jr., age 43, of Hillsboro, accelerate excessively onto westbound Veterans Boulevard from American Legion Drive, the report stated. The officer said Oaks crossed the double yellow centerline twice before being stopped.

When the officer approached the vehicle, a strong odor of alcohol was detected, and a Solo cup containing an alcoholic mixed drink was seen in the cup holder, according to the statement of probable cause. The officer also noted that Oaks’ eyes were bloodshot and glassy and that his speech was slurred.

Oaks reportedly told the officer he had consumed “one” alcoholic beverage prior to driving. The report said Oaks swayed while standing outside his vehicle and refused to perform standardized field sobriety tests or provide a breath sample.

Based on the observations and circumstances, Oaks was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. After being read Missouri’s Implied Consent warning, Oaks again refused to provide a breath sample for analysis.

The above charges are mere accusation and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Paul Barnard Editor

Paul Barnard is the editor of the Twin City News. Barnard Graduated from Norwich University, America's oldest private military college, with a B.S. in Communications and Media Technology. There he studied journalism and marketing. For years after, Barnard was in law enforcement and gained experience in the Special Investigations Unit and publishing all the department's press releases. As Barnard's family grew, he moved on to start Twin City News.

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